dither fish

[iangangoo]

I currently have a 90 gallon with 4 Sciaenochromis Ahli's (electric blues) and wanted to add some Tiger Barbs to act as dither fish, is this a good combination? Or will the barbs pick the heck out of the blues?

How many would I be able to put in the tank-any other dither fish I could use?? Any help is appreciated

[pugwash]

I wouldn't use dither fish in a Malawi tank, but other Malawian cichlids. The water isn't ideal for dither fish either - a bit too hard. You could add Synodontis catfish that are native to African waters too and have interesting breeding behaviour.

I used to keep Malawian cichlids a while ago, and went on the stocking of 1 species for the first 2 feet, and then another species for every 1 foot extra, at 6 individuals each.

Also, you'll want differing colours, as much for your visual display as for the fish identifying suitable mates, otherwise hybridisation can occur.

[DeRo316]

With a 90 gallon you could put more malawis in there, and the synodontis will work as well.

[iangangoo]

what would be the max number I could have? I am not interested in breeding..

[kcooley]

syndos go well in groups of 2-3. i have a malawi tank and they only really pay attention to other cichlids, for territory. a fish ignorantly swimming through their territory will not usually instigate a fight. my bala shark and clown loaches go great in a malawi tank gh15 kh 13 ph 8.0. i have yellow labs, red empress, peacocks, zebras2-3... it is very overstocked with hybrid fry 30-40 1-2". only 2 fish are aggressive in the tank and they go at it all day long.

[Chickieepooh2u]

I use Serpae Tetras as dithers for my Kribs. I only have a 33 gallon though so getting anymore cichlids for my tank isn't an option.

[pugwash]

what would be the max number I could have? I am not interested in breeding..

Malawian's need to be over-stocked to curb aggression. Just an example, but about 15yrs ago I bought 6 Yellow Labs and put them in a 20 gal - some bred and some died over 5 years, but there would always be 11 of them (it seems the natural carrying capacity of the environment). I did have the whole of the back covered in rock caves too though.

For your stocking, perhaps 5 different species in groups of six? And 2-3 Synodontis?

And as for breeding, you may not want your fish to, but chances are they'll have a real good go at it ;)

[kcooley]

if they are in pairs they will spawn. their aggression will push the others away until they are done. then you can remove the female with her eggs in her mouth and put her in her own tank.

[DeRo316]

I went with all males so I dont have to deal with the breeding. I tried to get as many different colors as I could to reduce aggression furthur. I havnt had any aggression issues and its been set up for 8-9 months. Take that back.....had to trade in my previous Venustus and got another one and no trouble since! If it was me I would have about 25-30 counting the catfish. But overstocking doesnt have to be done with malawis, many people have success without it. If you do decide to overstock be sure you're up for the waterchanges and get as much filtration as you can.

[iangangoo]

if i keep just the 4 in my tank what is the max size they will get? Also what foods will bring out that eletric blue in them?